Biography

Harry Bronson was elected to the New York State Assembly in November 2010. The 138th District includes parts of the City of Rochester and the towns of Chili and Henrietta. Harry’s passion for social justice, equality and fairness has defined his public service, legal and business careers. Prior to being elected to the State Assembly, he served in the Monroe County Legislature and held leadership positions during his entire tenure, including Minority Leader.

Having grown up on a farm with 11 siblings, Harry learned from his parents the importance of family, hard work and community service. Those early lessons have had a lifelong impact and after coming from very modest means, Harry learned the value of public education.

After earning an undergraduate degree in Public Justice from SUNY Oswego, Harry attended the University of Buffalo, earning a Juris Doctor. Formerly a partner at the firm of Blitman and King, he focused on anti-discrimination employment law, labor issues, employee benefits and litigation. Because of this work, he has lectured throughout the state on employment law and justice issues.

Firmly believing the opportunity to hold public office is a privilege granted by the families of our community, Harry recognizes that those who are given this privilege have a responsibility to maintain the highest level of ethical standards. Each policy decision Harry makes is upon the foundation of this public trust.

Harry has always stood with workers and the labor community, fighting for workers’ rights. As a member of the Committee on Labor, Harry is a strong advocate for policies that will ensure good pay with benefits and safe workplaces. He supported increasing the minimum wage and providing 12 weeks of paid family leave. These initiatives will go a long way toward ensuring hardworking New Yorkers can provide more for their families and meet the rising cost of living.

As chair of the Assembly Commission on Skills Development and Career Education, Harry is working on ways to help individuals get the training and skills necessary to seize upon job opportunities. He is committed to crafting policy that will help people overcome barriers in the way of successful employment.

As a member of the LGBTQ community, Harry is committed to equality for all people. Harry’s work embraces and promotes the simple principle that all human beings have dignity and that no matter who you are, what you look like, who you love or where you come from, we all deserve full equality and the opportunity to succeed.

Harry has worked tirelessly to ensure that our children get the education they deserve, our seniors have access to the health care they need, families feel safe and secure in their homes, hardworking New Yorkers find good-paying jobs to make ends meet, and that people are able to freely love whoever they choose.

As a small-business owner, Harry knows that small businesses are the backbone of our economic engine, comprising a significant portion of the employment sector. Harry is a co-owner of Equal=Grounds, a coffeehouse noted as an inclusive public meeting place in the South Wedge neighborhood of Rochester.

Proud to represent the 138th Assembly District, Harry is dedicated to helping individuals and families within the community thrive.